The Second Reading of the Sri Lanka Electricity Bill was passed in Parliament a short while ago by a majority of 44 votes.
The bill received 103 votes in favour and 59 against.
A division on the bill was taken at the end of today's debate on the bill. The Supreme Court had earlier said that certain clauses in the bill are in violation of provisions of the Constitution and as such, would require a special 2/3 Parliamentary majority in their current form. However, the Supreme Court had stated that these inconsistencies would cease if the amendments suggested by the Court are adopted.
Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara told Parliament that the government would include the amendments suggested by the Supreme Court so that the bill can be passed by a simple Parliamentary majority.
The Third Reading of the bill was subsequently passed with amendments and without a vote.
A Sri Lankan wanted for financial frauds and under a red notice was arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport along with his wife and child as they were returning from India, Police said.
Mr. Gihan de Silva has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, the Government Information Department announced.
The Bribery Commission has apprehended former Provincial Councillor and businessman Salochana Gamage, along with another businessman, in Pitakotte over a Rs. 9 million bribery case.
The Government is considering abolishing the Office of the Chief of the Defence Staff (OCDS) when the term of office of its incumbent General Shavendra Silva ends on December 31.
New commanders have been appointed to the Sri Lanka Army and Sri Lanka Navy.
Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe paid his last respects to former Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in New Delhi today.
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